Chair construction



1951 c. E. MEEK, JR, ET AL 2,539,919

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 25, 194'? INVENTORS 00456 461; 6 Mark,JP, fl/XO h /d 09M /v. .ewgw/g J ORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1951 GHAIRCONSTRUCTION Charles E. Meek, Jr Warsaw, and William N.

Brown, Jr., Winona Lake, 1nd,. a s s ors to Arnolt Corporation, Warsaw,1nd,, a, corporation of Indiana Application April 23, 1947, Serial No,743,390

7 C aims This invention relates to. furniture and par! ticularlytotubular metal chair frames,

It has longbeen recognized that tubular metal framed chairs could bemore economically manufactured and .distributed if the elements of suchchairs could be shipped in knocked down, or KD form to the ultimateretail outlet, for assembly by the retailer or the purchaser, and whilean approach has been. made, to such procedure through shipment. of theseats and backs separate from the frames so as to enable nesting of theframes in shipment, this has; not been satisfactory in many instancesbecause the requisite economy in space and packaging undersuch anarrangement is attained only when the shipments are relatively large.Moreover, under such prior arrangements, the elements of a single chaircannot be economically.- packed in a single or individual container orpackage, for packing in a single container would under such circum-.stances require a container of substantially the same size as a fullyassembled chair.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to enablethe frame for a tubular metal chair to be so formed that the severalframe elements that are to make up the rigid back support, and legstructure are of relatively small size and are of substantially the sameform-so that all of the frame elements for a-single chair may be nestedin a compact relation in a rela-. tively small and convenient package.Another object. related to the foregoing is to enable all of themetallic f rame elements of such a chair to be so formed that they maybe conveniently nested together in a group which is adapted for packingin a compact and efficient relation in a packing carton with the a aneat elements that are tobe mounted on such frame elements.

the Pa t, it has been eqegpi s l a on of h primary difi u ties a dine aKB cha r construction has centered around the difficulties of attainingrigid assembly of the separate frame unit and it is because of this,that past efforts to afford a KD chair have been confined principally tothe shipment of the seats and backs separate from the chair frames. itis therefore a further and important object of the present n en i n t eb e the frame lement of such a chair w be rigidly se u rec1 to etherthrou h h use of imple bolts hat be read y ap: plied y unskined workmen;and ob e t r lates to the foregoing is to enable the orm and I6 tion ofthe frame elements and the disposition qithe' iasteni e bolts to.cooperate to attain a 2 trussing or bracing action which assuresrigidity in the assembled chair frame.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way, of mus, tration, show a preferredembodiment and the principles thereof and what we now consider to. bethe best mode. in which we have contemplated applying those principles.Other embodiments of the. invention embodying the same or equiv: alentprinciples may be used and structural changes may be made as desired bythose skilled in the art without. departing from the present inventionand the purview of the appended claims,

n th drawin Fig. 1 is an angular perspective view of a chair frameembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the chair;

Fig, 3 is a front perspective view of the chair;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view at an enlarged scale taken along the line 55of Fig. 4.

For purposes ofdisclosure the invention is here-s in illustrated asembodied in a chair frame Ill comprised of three tubular metal frameelements ll, [2 and !3 that are generally similar in form so as to beadapted for convenient and compact packaging in a knocked down or KDrelationship nd which a be qu ckly a d as ly assem d to aff r a ri idand extremely u ged and stro g chair frame. The three frame elements II,I; and I3 are, in general form, what have been termed hairpin bendelements in that they are each generally L l-shaped in form. It will beob-. served, however, that at the closed end of its ,U-. shaped form,each element is bent to a plane generally perpendicular to the sidemembers of t e u t for conne tin po ons n wit s arrangement, theconnecting portions of the three ra e e e ent arentil z i o enab e the ta s elements to be connected together in locations that will beconcealed beneath the chair seat 7 so as to'thereby form the chairframe.

Thus, the frame element H is made from a single steel tube and comprisesstraight mounts or connecting arms I Hi joined by a rounded or arq iatebend llBfand to the opposite ends of the arms HA, legs HL are joined byrounded or arcuate bends HC. Similarly, the frame element I2 is madefrom a single steel tube to afford a pair of mounting or connecting armsl 2A joined by an arcuate or rounded bend i213, and having ess i l at e'a n Joined thereto by res was IZC? h time is.

3 ment I3 is also formed from a single steel tube to afford mounting orconnecting arms I 3A joined by an arcuate or rounded bend I3B and havingback supports I3S that are joined by rounded bends I3C to the other endsof the arms I3A.

Thus, the arms HA and the connecting bend. I'B afford a generallyV-shaped connecting portion for the frame element II; the arms IZA andthe rounded bend I 23 afford a generally V-shaped connecting portion forthe frame element I2 and the arms I 3A and th rounded bend I3B afford agenerally V-shaped connecting portion for the frame element I3. In theassembly of the chair frame, the connecting portions of the frameelements II and I2 are disposed in a common plane with the rounded bendsHE and IZB in opposed external contact, and in this relationship,openings I5 formed in the rounded bends IB and I2B are disposed inalignment. A fastening bolt I6 is then extended through the openings I5and a nut I1 is threaded onto the bolt I 6 so as to draw the bends HEand I2B tightly together, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

When the frame elements I I and I2 are thus connected, the arms HA andI2A thereof are disposed in a generally cruciform relation so as toafford an angle between the two rear arms I'A and I2A, and theconnecting portion of the frame element I3 is disposed within this angleand in the aforesaid common plane so that the arms I3A are disposedalong the rear sides of the rear arms I IA and I2A and are firmlyconnected thereto.

Thus, the rear arms HA and I2A each have a pair of openings formedtherethrough, similar to the openings I5 and spaced longitudinally ofsuch arms, and correspond ng openings are formed in the arms I3A so asto be aligned with the openings in the rear arms I IA and IZA when theframe element I3 is positioned as aforesaid. The interconnection of theframe elements is completed by extending fastening bolts I8 through suchaligned openings in the arms I3A and the rear arms HA and I 2A, andtighten ng nuts I9 thereon so as to draw the opposed pairs of barstightly together.

7 With the chair frame that is thus afforded, an exceptional degree ofrigidity is attained despite the simplicity of the fastening means. Thisrigidity results from the use of two fastening bolts I8 for securingeach of the frame members or elements II and I2 to the common framemember I3 and from the further fact that the bolt I6 fastens the frameelements II and I2 together at a point which is located forwardly of theintersection of the planes which pass through the lines of contact ofthe members HA and I-2A with the members I3A. By virtue of this mannerof connection, any tendency of one of the frame elements HA or I 2A torock about its line of contact with the frame element I3 is resisted bythe connection afforded by the bolt I6. This action is due at least inpart to the fact that the points at which the bolt IB engages the frameelement I2A for example, are located laterally with respect to the axisupon which any such rocking movement might tend to take place, and inpractice it has been found that the chair frame as thus provided isextremely rigid and effectually withstands the forces usuall applied tochair frames.

It will be observed that as herein disclosed, the three frame elementsII, I2 and I3 are of the hairpin bend type so that the leg structuresare afforded on the two frame elements II and I2 while the back supportsare afforded on the frame element I3. Through this arrangement, theframe elements are adapted for packing in an unusually small packagewhich affords room beside the longitudinal elements IIL, I 2L and I 38for the seat and the back elements of the chair. This arrangement ofcourse enables the packing of all the elements of a chair in a singlepackage of relatively small size. It will be evident however that wherethis advantage of small size of the packing unit may be eliminated, therear leg elements might well extend downwardly from the elements I3A andthe seat supports might well extend upwardly from the elements IIA andI2A respectively. In such an instance, the advantages insofar asconvenience of assembly and rigidity would be attained.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the presentinvention enables a chair frame to be shipped in a convenient andcompact individual package, and it also enables such individual frameelements to be conveniently assembled to afford a rigid chair frame.

Thus, while we have illustrated and described the preferred embodimentof our invention, it is to be understood that this is capable ofvariation and modification and we therefore do not wish to be limited tothe precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of suchchanges and alterations as fall within the purview of the followingclaims.

We claim:

1. In a chair frame, a seat support comprising three tubular elementseach bent to a generally V-shaped form and affording in each element apair of straight arm portions joined by an arcuate portion, two of saidelements being disposed in a common plane with said arcuate portions inexternal contact, a bolt extending through said engaged arcuate portionsto conmeet the same, the other of said elements being disposed in saidplane with the portions thereof paralel to and engaged respectively withcorresponding arms of the said first two of said elements, a pair offastening bolts extended through each pair of parallel arms at spacedpoints spaced longitudinaly thereof, a pair of tubular legs extendedintegrally from one arm of each of said pairs of arms, a tubular backsupport extended integrally in a direction generally oppo-f site to saidlegs from each of the other arms of said pairs of arms, and a tubularleg extended, integrally from each of the other arms of said firstmentioned two of said elements.

2. In a chair frame, a seat support comprising of parallel arms atspaced points spaced longi-;

tudinally thereof, a pair of tubular legs extended integrally from eachof the arms of said two ele-, ments, and tubular back supports extendedinte-' grally in a direction generally opposite to said} legs from eachof the arms of said third frame element.

' 3. In a chair frame adapted to be shipped knocked down :fo'rm, Ithreetubular elements adapted to afford a seat support and each bentby anarcuate portion, two of said elements being ada ted to be disposed'inacommon plane with'said arcuate portions in external contact and said twoelements having fastening, openings formed in a ignment therein in saidarcuate portions to receive a fastening bolt in a position wherein itextends through said engaged arcuate portions to connect the same, theother of said elements being ada ted to be disposed in said plane withthe portions thereof parallel to and engaged res ectively withcorresponding arms of the said first two of said elements, said pairs ofarms having a igned openings therein at spaced points soacedlongitudinally thereof to receive fastening bolts for securing saidpairs of arms to ether, a pair of tubular legs extended integral y fromone arm of each of said pairs of arms, a tubular back s port extendedintegrally 'in a direct on generally opposite to said legs from each oft e ot er arms of said a rs of arms, and a tubular leg extended integraly from each of the oth r arms of said first mentioned two of saidelements.

4. In a c air frame, three frame elements each formed from a singlemetal tube to afford in each frame e ement a V-s aned conn cting portionaffordin connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at t e ang e of the Vand integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends ofthe res ective conn cting bars and extended generally at ri ht an leswith res ect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, therounded bends of two of said connecting portions being dis osed inopposed relation to disnose said connecting portions of said twoconnecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arrangedin substantial y a cruciform relationship,

a bolt extended through the on'oosed rounded bon s, the connectingportion of t e other frame element bein dis osed in said common plane inthe angle between corresponding connecting bars of said two frameelements, and a pair of connectinq bolts extending through eachconnecting bar of said other frame element at points s aced longitudinaly of such bar and extending through the ad acent connecting bar of saidtwo frame elements to secure the three frame elements together, therelationship of said frame elements being such that four of said supportbars extend generally in the same direction from said common plane toafford chair legs. while two of said support bars extend in t e otherdirection from said common plane to afford back supports.

-5. In a chair frame, three frame elements each formed from a singlemetal tube to afford in each frame element a V-shaped connecting portionaffording connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at the angle of the Vand integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends ofthe respective connecting bars and extended generally at right angleswith respect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, therounded bends of two of said connecting portions being disposed inopposed relation to dispose said connecting portions of said twoconnecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arrangedin substantially a cruciform relationship, a bolt extended through theopposed rounded bends, the connecting portion of the third frame elementbeing disposed in said common plane in the angle between correspondingconnecting bars 6 of said :two'frame elements, and a'pair of" 6011-,meeting bolts extending througheach connecting barroffsaid third frameelementat points spaced longitudinally of such barand'extending'thr'ough' the adjacent connecting bar of said two frameelements tosecure the three frame elements together, the relationship ofsaid frame elements bing such that the 'foursupport bars of said twoframe elements extend generally in the same direction from said commonplane to -afford --chain legs, while the two support bars of said thirdframe element extend in the other direction from said common plane toafford back supports.

6. In a chair frame, three frame elements each formed from a singlemetal tube to afford in each frame element a V-shaped connecting portionaffording connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at the angle of the Vand integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends ofthe respective connecting bars and extended generally at right angleswith respect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, therounded bends of two of said connecting portions being disposed inopposed relation to dispose said connecting portions of said twoconnecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arrangedin substantially a cruciform relationship, means connecting the opposedrounded bends, the connecting portion of the other frame element beingdisposed in said common plane in the angle between correspondingconnecting bars of said two frame elements, and means connecting eachconnecting bar of said other frame element atpoints spacedlongitudinally of such bar to the adjacent connecting bar of said twoframe elements to secure the three frame elements together, therelationship of said frame elements being such that four 'of saidsupport bars extend generally in the same direction from said commonplane to afford chair legs, while two of said support bars extend in theother direction from said common plane to afford back supports.

'7. In a chair frame, three frame elements each formed from a singlemetal tube to afford in each frame element a V-shaped connecting portionaffording connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at the angle of the Vand integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends ofthe respective connecting bars and extended generally at right angleswith respect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, therounded bends of two of said connecting portions being disposed inopposed relation to dispose said connecting portions of said twoconnecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arrangedin substantially a cruciform relationship, a first bolt extended throughthe opposed rounded bends, the connecting portion of the other frameelement being disposed in said common plane in the angle betweencorresponding connecting bars of said two frame elements, and a pair ofconnecting bolts extending through each connecting bar of said otherframe element at points spaced longitudinally of such bar and extendingthrough the adjacent connecting bar of said two frame elements to securethe three frame elements together, the relationship of said frameelements being such that four of said support bars extend generally inthe same direction from said common plane to afford chair legs while twoof said support bars extend in the other direction from said commonplane to afford back support, and said first bolt being disposed so thatthe center point thereof is disposed in spaced relation to theline ofintersection of 7 planes that are perpendicular to said common plane andpassed through the lines of contact of said third frame element with thebars of said two frame elements.

CHARLES E. MEEK, JR. WILLIAM N. BROWN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,125,985 Bond Aug. 9, 19382,134,639 McGowen Oct. 25, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date148,106 Austria Dec. 28, 1936

